Uptown News & Events

Locals and visitors will “fall into fun” in Uptown Columbus as they enjoy exploring Sculpture Walk, dining in many fine eateries, shopping in unique and trendy boutiques and attending fun-filled events and concerts in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that is inherent to the Uptown area.  This Fall Season and the rest of the year promise a full calendar of events to look forward to. 

UPtown Columbus, Inc. produces over 50 event days annually and that number keeps growing. Last year’s featured events attracted thousands of people to the area – that’s people supporting economic growth in UPtown through dollars spent in retail, entertainment and dining facilities.

Sculpture Walk
Public art enhances our city’s quality of life by making it more welcoming and beautiful. UCI partnered with artists from all over the U.S. to showcase unique and creative works of art in the annual Sculpture Walk. Columbus residents voted to select May Flower as the People’s Choice Award. This sculpture was purchased by Columbus Regional Healthcare System and dedicated to the children of Columbus and the professionals who care for them. May Flower is on permanent display at the corner of 10th Street and Broadway for the enjoyment of all.

In its fourth year, Market Days on Broadway is more popular than ever as a favorite Saturday morning excursion.  Featuring locally grown farm fresh produce, delicious baked goods, fragrant flowers, art, and handcrafted items, Market Days takes place every Saturday on the east side of the 1000 block of Broadway, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm from May 15^th through November 5^th.  

The Uptown Friday Night Concerts return with a new theme for 2010.  The Miracle Riders UPtown Concert Series is named in honor of Scott Ressmeyer’s Ride for Miracles to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center.  An eleven-man team effort, The Ride for Miracles is a motorcycle ride across the 48 contiguous United States. The April 30^th concert will introduce the Miracle Riders, with the May 28^th show welcoming their safe return.  The concerts will take place every Friday night from April 30^th to May 28^th on the main stage of the 1100 Block of Broadway from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with the exception of the May 21^st show scheduled for the 1000 Block. 

Dates and bands:

7:00pm – 10:00pm

· Big Woody       April 30 - 1100 block

              & the Splinters

· The Pine Beetles     May 7 - 1100 block  

· Theatrics      May 14 - 1100 block   

· Peggy Jenkins      May 21 - 1000 Block

    & the Bizness  

          · DNR - Do Not Resuscitate  May 28 - 1100

           block 

The 2010 Aflac Outdoor Games is a three-day event that provides families and friends the opportunity to see some great competition while enjoying the great outdoors. Events are scheduled for the weekend of May 21-23, 2010 at the UPtown Riverfront in Columbus, Georgia.

Hours:
Friday 12:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-11:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm

Several changes are slated for this years third annual event. Along with a new date, the event is moving from South Commons to the UPtown Riverfront area at the beautiful CSU Riverfront Campus.

An exciting addition to the 2010 Aflac Outdoor Games is a Grand Prix bike race, several different races that will run through UPtown Columbus. The Lumberjacks are returning with three performances daily on Saturday and Sunday that will include log rolling, ax throwing, hot sawing, chainsaw carving, and speed pole climbing. In addition, nighttime activities interacting with Uptown establishments will be combined with the event, including bands performing throughout the weekend.

Fan favorites returning are the Char-Broil Pig Bowl (a professional Kansas City Barbeque Society and local BBQ cooking contest), Ultimate Air Dogs (Dog Dock Diving), Cable TV of East Alabama Agility Dogs, the Archery Challenge, the Knology Family Zone, and many more outdoor activities.

The decision to move the annual event from South Commons to the Uptown Riverfront area is in preparation for the upcoming breaking of the dams, which will allow future events like Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking to be included as part of the Aflac Outdoor Games.

The new venue also allows a nightlife aspect to be a major part of the Aflac Outdoor Games this year. A concert series will headline the evening activities on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, six different Grand Prix bike races are scheduled to run through the uptown area from 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday night.

A new Web site for this year’s Outdoor Games is up and running with some brand-new features! You can follow all the action during the event on Twitter and event blogs, so you’ll always know what’s going on. There’s also a Facebook page that includes pictures and information about the event, plus, you can sign up to be a fan!  The Aflac Outdoor Games offers participation from local competitors for Ultimate Air Dogs, the Char-Broil Pig Bowl, the Archery Challenge, and the Grand Prix bike race.

Visit AflacOutdoorGames.com for more information about these events and to register to compete.
 
Advance Daily Ticket Prices:
Adults: $10
Children (5–12): $5 (kids 5 and under free)
Military: $5 (Military ID must be presented at purchase.)

At-the-Gate Daily Ticket Prices:
Adults: $15
Children (5–12): $10 (kids 5 and under free)
Military: $10 (Military ID must be presented at purchase.)

Opportunities for sponsorship and vendors are still available. Visit AflacOutdoorGames.com or call the Aflac Outdoor Games office at 706-221-1900 for more information.

UPtown Columbus Inc.

UPtown Columbus, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization facilitates and coordinates economic revitalization initiatives throughout the Central Business District, Riverfront and overall UPtown area through:

• managing individual projects
• consulting on new business ventures
• acting as a liaison for all interested parties through participation and membership on numerous councils and committees in the Columbus area
• UPtown has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 25 years, and UPtown Columbus, Inc. and the Business Improvement District have helped lead the way.

UCI is dedicated primarily to the revitalization of all areas of UPtown Columbus into a model city where people desire to work, live, worship, visit, shop, dine and explore educational opportunities.

Business Improvement District (BID)

In 1999, UPtown Columbus, Inc. championed the legislation for the creation and management of the Business Improvement District. Property owners within the 47-block area pay a special assessment above their regular property taxes. This assessment is collected by the City of Columbus and the City contracts with the BID to provide and manage BID services.

BID Services

The Business Improvement Distrct is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization facilitates and coordinates economic revitalization initiatives throughout Uptown area through:

• Maintenance 
• Marketing & Special Events
• Security Enhancement
• Safety & Hospitality Ambassador

Ambassador Force

The Columbus BID Ambassadors, better known as "Purple People", patrol the streets of UPtown Columbus seven days a week courteously providing directions, information and assistance to visitors, patrons, property owners, business owners and employees in the BID District. The BID Ambassadors help ensure that all who visit UPtown enjoy the experience so they will likely visit the area again. They stay abreast of the area events and activities as well as the location of major attractions in the community. They act as couriers and escorts. They enhance public safety, serving as "eyes and ears" on the street, by reporting all the street and safety hazards, and violations of safety codes and ordinances. The presence of ambassadors on the street aids in overall crime prevention and reduces street disorder. Ambassador patrols and reporting deter panhandling, illegal street vending, street maintenance problems and unsuitable behavior.

Clean and Maintenance Team

The Columbus Business Improvement District maintains a superior level of cleanliness and maintenance on the streets and sidewalks of Uptown Columbus. The BID specializes in providing the business and property owners a clean and safe program customized to their needs. The Clean Team works seven days a week in the Central Business District and continues to receive glowing comments. Our program includes litter prevention and control, mechanical sweeping, pressure washing , reporting of maintenance problems to the appropriate agency and removal of graffiti and illegal postings. Members of our clean team also act as ambassadors providing information and assistance to the public. They keep all blocks free of dirt, trash, leaves and debris, remove weeds and report environmental issues.

Security Enhancement

Police officers are provided on weekends and holidays to provide additional security for the Uptown area.